Now if you have bet your money on me being out on a Sunday shopping for diamonds I'd told you to just give me the money and buzz off.. but strange are the ways of the human race. There I was ...
One of my best no... good friends is back from the US of A and she's getting married this week. So me and a buddy got to attend... Dandy! For the record I hate the whole show.. I'm the one who's sitting in the fourth row from the back.. thinking 'God! When will this end?' in most of the few situations that I can't wriggle my way out. This is one of em.
Actually I would have, but she hasn't invited me yet directly yet. So I have to go to deliver some of my patented guilt inducing lines. So Sunday, me and Ankur reluctantly drag ourselves to buy a gift. Now this is one of the things that just outright ticks me off... If I know someone.. no problem but I haven't seen her for like the most part of .. what is it now... 3 years now. Also the fact that she's blessed to have almost anything that she points her little finger to isn't much help. So there we are brainstorming as to what should we get her. Now with our combined brains at the end of a working week (that's not much) here's the list
a diamond pendant, a watch, a 'Buy-yourself-what-you-want' coupon... I'm already tired
So there we are looking for diamond pendants when we wouldn't know a diamond if it turned around and bit us in the ass. First stop was a Gili counter, now we weren't planning to spend too much (since she forgot my bday AND forgot to invite me and rarely ever talk to us. Well on the last one, I don't make much of an effort myself but I never forget bdays!) So this guy is showing all this dainties.. we're thinking 10K tops. Now here's the deal.. for 3-4 K you'll get pendants, real tiny ones as big as the nail on your little finger. Where's the diamond ? Well if you still have one of those cell-slide examining microscopes from science practicals.. now would be a good time to lug it around. At max, you'll see a white sparkle and that's your diamond for that price. I've seen keychains with LEDs that sparkle better than that and they only cost 25 bucks.. 10 if you buy them on a train. So there's this guy going on and on about how he's packed a zillion diamonds into that space, new design,440 carat, buyback schemes and this certified and that... and I'm like yeah yeah.. if I sneeze real hard, I'll be cleaning floors here for life. The story here is that when you cut a real diamond like the ones you see in the Hollywood flicks, the shavings that remain - well that's the diamond on our pendants. They take that and stuff into some nook and cranny on a gold piece shaped like an arrow or a bird or a butterfly or something and sell it to dopes like us.
The ones that are somewhat visible to the naked eye cost 13 K upwards.. I like some (which of course are way over acceptable limits.. but isn't that the case always) but the lines have been drawn. Anyways nothing that took my breath away.. maybe we needed a female opinion. This is definitely not something I was born to do. My friend is equally baffled.
We make an excuse and split to try some other stores. Another rick, another mall, same two zombies. Next we're strolling like we know what the heck we're doing. Another line of eagerly awaiting sales people. These people can sniff idiots I think.. coz as soon as we enter their zone. Whispers, Looks, If they had a tractor beam, they'd beam you in a second. So here's another guy.. same deal. microscopic diamonds on gold buttons... So he's like that arabian urchin... please buy my wares, o fair sir or the evil sheikh will flog me.. Everyone wants to put the pendant on a gold chain so that 'I have a better idea'. Right. If putting something on a gold chain, gave me a better idea I'll buy that chain my friend.
BOSS : When is that prototype going to be done ?
Me : Wait Sir! Let me put it on a gold chain, you'll have a better idea.
BOSS : Oh my god ! I have night vision now.. wait wait..I can see the future. Gishu my boy you're promoted!!!
So they dangled tiny pendants at us but we managed to part with our cards in our pockets. Another rick to the station, we make our way into a Gujju 'Palace' that doesn't sell branded stuff. He's got all this gaudy designs.. but the prices are cheap. Something that should have been in the 13-15K range was being sold for 2K. I asked if they gave some kind of certificate of authenticity. No he says.. you won't get it here. Brains are on fire.. should we ? shouldn't we? I asked him point blank how come these are so cheap.. how do we know the diamonds are real / as per specs ? He retorts these aren't real diamonds!!! A voice in my head goes 'What did I ask for.... ORANGES ?!!!' He then proceeds to say that these are American diamonds.. which is another word for I guess fake or low quality ones. You should have asked for real ones... The real diamonds are on the top floor. Another 15-20 mins looking at the familiar pieces at the now familiar extravagant prices. All that talk about how the branded guys overprice their stuff comes to naught as I see that this guy has more or less the same price (maybe more miniscule diamonds per piece but then who can see them with the naked eye). By now we're pretty sure this guy knows that we know squat about diamonds.. he could have sold us salt and told us that these are finely cut belgian diamonds. We wouldn't have disagreed. So chuck it we say...
It's been a good couple of hours before we began this trek. We go back to the starting point i.e. Square One. We're thinking of buying one from the first set. When we remember to go check out a Tanishq outlet. Small little shop with females in matching sarees.. we're offered chairs to sit down. We take our seats..Kinda felt like an interview.. I guess she noticed the uncertainity in our eyes. She asks 'It's for you sir?' "Yes my fair lady, this here is my gay friend. We're getting hitched tomorrow and I'd like to buy him the biggest rock you have." On the outside, I start justifying "It's for a friend.. a gift... whatever" She smiles coz she knows we've have no idea what we're looking for. I get uncomfy and stand up to look at the array of trinkets that she's got lined up. Finally the golden question 'What range are you looking for?' 5-10 K we say. I guess she was waiting for 100Rs and then she could've kicked us out. So some more strafing, we're tired. I'm almost ready to go to work on Sunday to avoid this torture. Finally we pick one which has a somewhat visible stone and looks like a flower and a leaf.. nice. So we confer and finally I say 'We'll take this'. She's relieved. Then she gets greedy :) 'Sir do you want to look at earrings to go with this ?' In a flash "NOPES"!! No more.. I concede .. Take whatever you want just make this stop. She flashes a wicked smile.. nice poke Missie!
She then looks around to find someone to mind the counter... it made me feel really warm inside. ('Lady, I know we look suspicious but if I wanted to steal something, it would be those XBoxes on the lower floor.. not these puny stones'). She then takes a good 15 minutes to make the money disappear while we watch a heavily madeup creature try on diamonds and strut around in front of a large mirror, then a vanity mirror, then in front of the guy who looked so bored but supportive that it was an open case that he was the victim.. 'Yes that looks good on you... yes that too'. Miss Sales (females really will sell you ice if they want to) returns my card, puts Thumbelina's ring in a small box, puts the box in a big bag along with the bills and all. Finally it's done, all of the involved parties exchange knowing smiles.. So we look at the entire array of pendants that we were choosing from for the last hour, take a deep breath and make our way out of there. Once outside the mall, we check our nostrils... no diamonds. Damn! those tiny little buggers are not as light as they look.
The whole thing did no good to our self esteem.. to buy a decent rock, I'd have to sell off something or someone and then borrow some more. So losing your card in a dustbin is a far more acceptable option that getting entangled in one of these glittering webs.. "Come into my parlour... said the spider to the flies"!
**** UPDATE
I seem to have stepped on some toes with this post. Well now deleting this post wouldn't make a difference coz words once spoken can't be taken back... So I'll keep it here. I wish she knew that hurting her was the last thing I would ever do... I wish people wouldn't take me so seriously!
Movie Review Center
This is where I spend more time writing about movies that I spent time watching. Last In First Up.
Kung Fu Panda **** - July 12,2008
"He was so deadly that his enemies would go blind from overexposure to PURE AWESOMENESS.
There is no charge for awesomeness. Or attractiveness.
It mattered not how many foes he faced; they were no match for his bodacity"
With lines like that there is no way this movie can make a false move. Awesomeness at its purest. Po - is a cuddly globular Panda, dreaming of being a martial arts master. What's the secret of this movie? "There is no secret ingredient."
Its has all the things I dream of when I think of the Kung Fu films of ol' - animation is cutting edge and the voice acting is so well done - I only knew that they were big stars when the credits rolled... except maybe Jack Black.
Wholesome fun for the whole family. Highly recommended. I'm getting the DVD when it comes out.
Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na *** - July 8,2008
It's a group movie - something you with your entire 'gang'. The movie is fresh, youthful, jovial and pop-corny. If you with an analytical eye-glass, this movie isn't anything worth writing home about... but from a 'forget about your worldly cares' the movie works in a sitcommy sort of way. Some of the things shown are downright zany - but you dont notice that when you're in the dark room laughing at the moving pictures.
Manorama Six Feet Under **** - Feb16,2008
http://imdb.com/title/tt0498380/usercomments-238
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Manorama Six Feet Under *** - Nov 6,2007
Johhny Gaddar ***1/2 - Nov 6,2007
Two movies of the detective/suspense genre.
Manorama is slow to catch on but begins to grow on you.. Set in Rajasthan, a small time PWD worker Abhay deol as SV.. a failed novelist.. struggles with the monotonity of his life. Soon a female drops in like the cliched damsel in distress.. I suspect my husband the big politico czar is cheating on me. I want you to spy on him.. SV takes the money and then gets dragged into a whirlpool of twists and turns.
Johnny on the other hand is in one word SLICK - a tribute to James Hadley Chase genre. Neil Mukesh's first movie puts him on my to-watch-out for list. The pace is frenetic. Vinay Pathak is a common factor in both the movies.. but has a bigger role here as one of the 5 some looking to make a deal. Stand up and applaud Sriram raghavan. I'm gonna buy a CD and watch the sequel too..
The strange thing is both films bombed at the box office... just goes to show you - Indian audiences. Put on a circus and the masses throng. Some intelligent cinema... empty halls.
Watch it!
Solyaris **** - Nov 6,2007
A 1972 movie from a russian director - publicly claimed to be the retort to Kubrick's 2001 : A Space Odyssey. Personally I find the comparison a bit off. Kubrick's movie was a visual spectacle with visions galore. Solaris is more focussed with the human mind in an alien environment. The plot revolves around a shrink travelling to an airbase over a newly discovered planet ocean planet Solaris, which seems to be playing with the minds of the humans trying to study it. A loong movie.. so you may need to hold on till the end.
American History X ****1/2 - Oct 11,2007
A film on racism and its consequences on a family (apparently based on a real person) that hits you right in the gut. Edward Norton pulls out an absolutely stunning performance out of his hat -He should have one a couple of Oscars for this protrayal of an uber-skinhead (Roberto Beningni won for 'a beautiful life' Ripoff :( )... The movie is not for family viewing and some scenes are as graphic as can be. 'Must watch before you die'
Mulholland drive X **** - Oct 11,2007
Can't explain the premise, genre or purpose of this film.. Its weird but special. Critically acclaimed David Lynch movie that twists and turns till you give up trying to figure this one out
Close Encounters of the third kind *** - Aug 26, 2007
I picked up a DVD of this movie along with The Usual Suspects n Black Hawk Down. Halfway through I had Deja Vu... I had watched parts of this movie without knowing it was Close Encounters.. Richard Dreyfuss has a encounter with ETs.. a lot of it seems to be happening. Everyone wants answers... A different treatment other than the bloodthirsty race eliminating horror stereotyped-aliens.
Found heavy traces of inspiration for a Hindi flick Koi Mil gaya with the use of a set of musical notes to initiate communication.
Ratatouille *** - Aug 25, 2007
Pixar returns with the fourth concept of what was a post production brainstorming session after Toy Story.. which went on to become A Bug's life, Monsters Inc., Incredibles and now the tale of a rat with the gift of smell and fine cuisine..
Ratatouille FYI is a dish for peasants.. Won't spoil the rest.. definitely watchable. Prepare to be dazzled once again.
Carlito's way *** - June 17, 2007
Al Pacino and Sean pean together in a gangsta flick. That's just an automatic see for me. The film shows Carlito - Al escaping prison due to his lawyer sean. He wants to go straight now.. but things keep coming to him. His drug snorting lawyer gets into trouble with the biggies and Carlito has to help him out due to his personal code of honor. But shit happens..
Oceans Thirteen **1/2 - June 10, 2007
The gang is back. This time Reuben is swindled by Al Pacino - a ruthless hotel tycoon out to make the next biggest thing. The gang is out for revenge. The task is impossible but then hey Danny doesn't pull simple ones does he.. Outrageous at time - the gang shines but not as much as Eleven.
Pirates of the Carribean **1/2 - June 3, 2007
Yeah yeah, it has Johnny Depp, Orlando, Kiera.. it has pirates n boats... aarrrr matey! But something just gave way beneath their feet... It didn't work for me. The movie's good but not great..
Saw III *** - May 20, 2007
Once again, manages to shock with a clinical clear headed bad guy at the helm and a shocker of a climax. Some scenes made me turn my head away from the screen.. cranial operation isn't exactly what I term as horror but it does manage to evoke some strong reactions.
Takes over quite nicely from Saw II and Saw I - but now it's getting periodic.
Borat **1/2 - Apr 29, 2007
I am speechless. WTF was that ? This is the idea of someone called Sacha Baron Cohen who is Borat from Kazhakistan in the movie trying to learn about america as he makes his way across the country.. I dunno if all this was rehearsed or shot live. Anyways it'll jolt you out of your pants with its sheer audacity.
Even though it's way over the top.. it takes balls to make something like this.. and the thing is you have a very high chance of seeing 'em too during this .
The best of Will Ferrell : SNL ***1/2- Apr 28, 2007
Not as funny as I would have thought but then this guy has set his bar at the very top!! Definite one time watch - My favourite skit of the worst boss ever with Pierce Brosnan is missing in this though. What you have is Will Ferrell at his best ... The NoToDrugs one, the Puppy training volume, Chess Cheerleaders, the Night at Roxburry's with Jim Carrey and more... Hilarious!! Definite one time watch.. lots of celeb appearances but Ferrell takes every scene.
Dombivali Fast ***1/2(M) - Apr 06, 2007
This is a marathi film.. one of the better ones in a long tme.. Not the typical laughriot. The first 15 mins hit a chord in me. Wake up .. get ready.. catch a train.. office.. run back.. catch a train.. go to sleep. Repeat. A story of a middler working man from Dombivali (a Bombay suburb) with principles caught in a world that he doesn't want to live in.. His wife and kids paying the price for his values.. tution fees to get his son's teacher to allow his kid to make the grade... bribe for the water tanker.. donations to get his kid into school.. shopkeepers charging over the MRP.. corruption.. cheating.. a F* up life of despair.
Soon he loses it and goes about changing something.. I already have spoken too much.. Watch it !!
The film isn't a great one.. but maybe it's just that I don't want to face reality and want a feel good movie everytime I see something. I got enough pain of my own to deal with maybe.. but the movie has got some really nice facets like how keeping quiet has made the world into what it is today. Each one of us is responsible for the mess we are in.. e.g. everytime we pay someone more than the value that we get in return we are messing it up further.
300 *** - Mar 17, 2007
I'm a Frank Miller comic fan.. so I am glad I spent a hundred bucks on this one. No known faces in this one but it's a visual spectacle.. Frank Miller all the way.. to the narrative style, the darkness, the strength of the characters. The film details how the King of Sparta with 300 of his best soldiers, defends his lands against a Persian invader with zillion strong army and mystics and creatures at his disposal. How can this be a whole length movie.. go watch it !!!
Last King of Scotland **1/2 - Mar 03, 2007
I'm gonna say it out loud, I feel the film slipped away into the shadows towards the end. The performances are towering, Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin, a delusional, unpredictable, awe-inspiring, self proclaimed upholder cum tyrant dictator of Uganda and the guy playing the Scottish doctor out looking for adventure and ending up out of his depth. One time watch definitely - but could have been much much more... the bad guy in this case ended up living for quite sometime after he slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his own people... maybe that's what irked me most. The movie lacks a central message coming thru...
Guru (H) *** - Jan 13, 2007
Hmm... this one is right on the fence. On one side, this may be one of the best Abhishek movies to date. On the other hand, the film doesn't leave you with anything at the end of it. It's a biopic of the late Gurubhai soundalike maybe in the lines of Dayavan. It follows the rise of a common man to the top of one of India's biggest companies; the trials and tribulations along the way... and his determination and 'whatever it takes' outlook to success.
The movie doesn't bore you at any place but the end is kinda filmy - a dramatic performance in a courtroom doesn't absolve you of crores of rupees in tax evasion and other felonies.. Sorry can't buy that!
Babel *** - Jan 7, 2007
For those who don't know, the 'Tower of Babel' is a story from the Bible that emphasizes the value of communication. I don't know if that was the backdrop of this movie, it failed to communicate that... [Did the creators intentionally do that ?]
The movie is kinda like Crash albeit spanning across cultures Moroccan, American, Mexican, Japanese. Brad Pitt and Kate Blanchett are brillant as always. The script is nicely woven but at the end, the movie doesn't leave you with a message. That's my problem with it.
Full Metal Jacket ***1/2 - Jan 4, 2007
A Kubrick war-movie! This time on the tough conditioning of the Marines for Vietnam. Lots of shots at the moral dilemma of the marines racking up the 'gooks' body-count while "liberating" them. The movie seems a bit disjoint at times - seems like Kubrick had different goals during each section of the movie. A good watch nonetheless... The ambiance is nicely recreated with nice sound effects to enhance the atmosphere of fear.
Blade Runner *** - Dec 24, 2006
Harrisson Ford in and as BladeRunner.. Won't put it down as a must see. But for a 1980s futuristic thriller, Ridley Scott's film has done a good job. Even today, the look of the film doesn't appear outdated. Blade Runners FYI, are special cops with 'A Shoot to kill' directive on detecting rebel human clones called Replicants. For me, the movie got slow at times... but still plenty of good things - so don't give it a miss !
A Bug's life **** - Dec 20, 2006
Outstanding!! Pixar rulz! This one you gotta see. Even the ending credits are funnier than anyone I have met in a long time. The ideas woven into this puny masterpiece would make your brain get up and applaud. Also kudos to the guys who were behind this... nice plot, cool ideas, stunning animation and great voices. As I said, outstanding !!!
DHOOM 2 ** - Nov 24, 2006
First of all, let me say this upfront before you people stop reading anything I write from here on. This was under very abnormal circumstances an office group outing.
Ok. Let me lay it out.. The thing that you remember after you step out of the hall is Uday Chopra's "acting"(Baywatch was a stroke of genius) and Hrithik's uber cool look (first 15 mins and the song). That is the review. Sunehri from Andheri is like like like like ... the Bipasha twins in the movie... wasted !!! Abhishek tries somewhat to wrest the scenes away but Hrithik wins.
** SPOILER Warning
Stunts are something that even a Mithun movie would not dare release with. e.g.
The Queen of some country has her crown transported via a train in some African desert. After the heist, Hrithik is sand boarding tied up to the rear like a sitting duck. The top security gets approx 10 shots and not one of them hits. He then jumps up back to the roof to flatten the shooter. And by the way the train is running at breakneck speed.
How did Hrithik apply that white paste for the Greek sculpture and get into position to play his remote control car game in the Shalimar rip-off white n black floor. Were the guards eating Vada Pav with Ali ? How did he get back to the wash-room after stealing that diamond ? Was the Vada at work here again?
How did Hrithik change his costume from Old wrinkly guy to Krrissshh on skates in the split second that he goes down one manhole and shoots out of another one nearby?
Why did ALL the guards come and stand in the path of the Electric arc thingies in the stealing of the sword scene ? After all they are the ones who set up those security measures.
Why does Abhishek just arrest him when everyone knows who everyone else is?
Ok and picture this.. Hrithik jumps off a cliff with a parachute in a last ditch effort to escape. Abhishek has no parachute so what does he do... rolls up his sleeves and jumps ??!!. Somehow he doesn't fall on top of the chute acc to normal physics but somehows attaches himself to the back of Hrithik... ala vikram betaal. I would have loved to see Hrithik do a last minute swerve to the left.. and there lies super cop splat on the ground...
Some shmuck has given this a 4 star rating in the Times. Sell out!
Crazy kiya re ??... Ghari chala re!!!!
Casino Royale ***1/2 - Nov 18, 2006
Daniel Craig all the way!
Total Rollercoaster... Slick Action and tight pace till the very end. Don't miss the start or the end or anything in between. Daniel has done a good job of rising to the souped up expectations. Also Bond happens to have a heart in this movie!! Missed the inventor of slick gadgets though.
Aston Martin has a short role but it is a head turner.
This incidentally is the first Bond book by Ian Fleming.
Nacho Libre **1/2 - Nov 18, 2006
I gotta admit I'm a bit partial to Jack Black movies. School of Rock is a case in point.
Here he plays Ignacio a friar or holy person who has a inclination towards Mexican wrestling - which goes against the man of god doctrines. He is the cook for a bunch of kids in the orphanage.. till the day he decides to moonlight as a wrestler for a better life for the orphans and win the heart of Sister Encarnacione - who's a beauty.
All's good except that he has no talent and that was the funniest bit in the movie... when you want to do something real bad and you know you're so bad at it. Kinda like me learning the guitar... and you keep at it coz it gnaws away inside :)
And I liked the religious man theme song. "I am I am....
Janghwa, Hongryeon **** - Nov 16, 2006
A.k.a. A tale of two sisters
You got to see it to believe it. It's a Korean horror movie- so I had to watch it with subtitles. I'm not sure I got the entire plot straight in my head... and that's a sure sign that it's a good movie :)
The scenes are extremely well executed, the actresses carry the movie on their own. A difference in STYLE! Watch it - recommended.
The Departed **** - Nov 04, 2006
Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, Leo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen - Now a set of people like this heightens expectations. And the good news is that it doesn't disappoint... Superb protrayals all around.. and a special mention to the characters etched out - everyone has a nice role to play.
A game of snitches - the cops have one among them and the bad guys have too... A game of catching the rat that twists and turns all the way to very gory (and somewhat cynical) end. Watch it unless you are squeamish!
Office Space **1/2 - Nov 04, 2006
Nice sitcom-ish movie about the life in cubicles and the monotonous routine that I'm too familiar with.The movie is nice in patches but overall it sinks in the latter half of the movie. One time watch... maybe ...
Jaaneman (H) *** - Oct 24, 2006
Better than the last one that I saw. Popcorn movie with some laughs. Songs are pretty long n boring - the lyricist needs a QA guy assigned pronto. Salman (good at heart - uber cool supersta) n Akki (the well intentioned geek at heart) carry the movie - the plot is similar to Shahrukh coaching Saif in Kal ho na ho. Priety is straight out of a Ponds commercial yet again... TimePass... good for whilin away an afternoon.
DON - the remake (H) **1/2 - Oct 23, 2006
Nothing bad per se. Slick production but nothing good either. No replay value. A couple of nice twists in the plot but that's it. The first half is pretty drag and you have no feeling of the movie going anywhere. Nothing that you haven't seen anywhere else. Also - Definitely doesn't hold a candle to the original. My advice - Wait n Watch it on the telly or the PC !!
Halloween **** - Oct 21, 2006
Nice cult Carpenter horror flick. Sounds and cameras used to create a pretty nice effect. Horror with any blood spills. Nicely done.
Lage Raho Munnabhai (H) ****1/2 - Sep 16, 2006
Absolutely stunning. The sequel to the equally popular Munnabhai MBBS (which is being made into an english movie.) Munna and Circuit are again on song with the father of the nation to boot. A very nice concept. I won't spoil anything - just suffice to say even I couldn't find anything bad with this movie. Well paced and just what the doctor ordered for the people running like hamsters through the wheels of life.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind **** - MAR 26, 2006
I hafta blog about this or this will get lost in the haze of uncontrollable events and causes that starts every Monday morning ...
It's kinda funny how things out sometimes. Last week I was out watching 'Crash' with some of my friends. (strictly okay that one.. dunno how it got the Oscar for Best Film) As I was walking out, I said 'Eternal.. sounds like the next movie I would watch'. Sure enough next Friday, 8 in the evening, I'm standing outside the same multiplex with 4 tickets in hand. Coincidence ?? I don't think so.
Eternal... is a thought experiment - a love story - reflection on your own life all rolled into a movie. It's movies like these that give me hope that there are still good stories to be heard out there.
Jim Carrey gets under the skin of Joel like a fish takes to water. Kate Winslet as Clementine still has that something about her that can't be set to words... like if she stabbed you in the back, you'd hand over the knife back to her and ask her if she hurt her hand :) Dunst looks like she's a prop in this story but her part is as important as any - as you would find at the end of it all. The clear winner here is the "Script" - lemme google... Charlie kaufman and Michel Gondry - wherever you are. Thank you for making me want to go back to the movies the next time...
And to the people that did the fantastic work of bringing a 2004 movie to the Indian malls in 2006. Thank you -- better late than never!
As I always say, this is a fantastic medium - elastic loops of matter in the clumsy clutches of amateurs but magical works of art in the palms of masters. Lord Puttnam's speech at the BAFTA's this year just said it for me - Well spoken sir!
To end this tirade - One that I would take my girl out to ... if I had one that is. But if I did and that's a big if, this would be one of the few I would make it a point to watch more than once.
Movie Review: Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels **** - Sep 26, 2005
I recognized just a couple of guys in this all british film. One was Sting (Desert Rain and Police fame) and the other was the action star/lead in Transporter. But don't take anything away from anyone who's in this movie.
The film is the story of how 4 friends (one of 'em is a whiz at cards & reading reactions) pool in money for a '100 grand n above' card game at the local gangster's den and end up owing a lot of money to 'Hatchet' Harry.10 days and a finger for each day after that till the debt is cleared !
DA PLOT : 1 salute for Guy Ritchie! The plot is one amazing rollercoaster, one twist after another. Coincidence plays a lead role here :) It is unbelievably hilarious when you look at it from the outside.
Bottom line : MUST Watch atleast once.
Movie Review: Salaam Namaste (H) **1/2 - Sep 19, 2005
SPOILER WARNING (If you are planning to watch this movie, Back Off!!)
First why is this the title of the movie? coz someone had a canned catchy song?
Good things:
Movie Review : Amadeus ****3/4 - Sep 05, 2005
"Mediocrity is everywhere" - Salieri (Amadeus - 1984)
This is CINEMA as it should be. The creators have taken some characters and events from history, taken some dramatic liberties and blended in Mozart's brilliance to create one of the finest pieces of celluloid art ever. This movie won 8 Oscars and is regarded as one of the top 100 films of all time. You will remember some of the scenes forever once you have seen them.
The movie is a confession by Antonio Salieri in an asylum, a former Italian court composer in Vienna. He makes a pact with God that he would be a righteous man and in return he wishes to be the remembered as a great composer. But then Mozart enters the scene, a loud, bohemian, crass "creature" with divine musical talent. Mozart's compositions are carefully entwined to enhance the drama (It should be reason enough to watch this movie). Salieri sees Mozart as God's instrument mocking him. He sees Mozart's genius and consequently his music as mediocre. Salieri then plots... I wouldn't commit a crime by divulging any more...
Salieri - F. Murray Abraham, is THE case study every actor should study. You have to watch him to see how he has portrayed Salieri as the bad-guy who is actually a good guy. You have to see this guy get into the skin of this character, facial expressions, the works. He won the Oscar for this role.
Mozart - Tom Hulce plays the childish, gaudy, eccentric director's vision of Mozart. If they had 2 Oscars that year, he would have won the second. His misfortune was that he was pitted against Abraham that year :)
The next great performer is the Orchestra that have contributed the music to this movie.
The other things like the Operas, costumes, sets are so beautifully done that you almost don't see 'em.
This movie is definitely not a true story as several artistic liberties have been taken. This is a play masquerading as an film. You might want to take a look at (AFTER you see the film)
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/2915/amadeus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart
All in all I'm gonna watch it again soon...
Movie Review : Iqbal (H) **** 1/4 - Aug 29, 2005
Do not get alarmed by Subhash Ghai at the start of the movie. He has not played Kisna here.
Nagesh takes you into a quaint little town, where Iqbal dreams of playing for India. The film follows him as he follows his dreams.
The cast does not boast of any big stars but the cast could not have been better. Shreyas as Iqbal is brilliant. Naseer upholds and raises my high expectations as his mentor. G.Karnad after a long time is back as the wily and menacing coach. Iqbal's family too is nicely enacted: his sister as Iqbal's voice, His 'varna main aapko jaan se maar doongi' :) mom and his cricket hating father.
This movie uses sound quite nicely. Keep a ear out on how sound supplements the scenes in the movie.
The quarter of a star is for Nagesh in particular for his vision and drive to turn this into reality. This is the closest thing to an Indian Rocky Balboa. Period. ( this is NOT Rocky though, that movie and audio track combo always makes me wanna run out and punch someone's lights out! That's what I call a moving movie). Also Nagesh K. once replied to a mail of mine, so I am a bit biased to his movies.
Make no mistake, this one has to be watched. Please get out of your comfy chairs and pay money to see movies like these.
Moral of the story: Instead of sending all our cricketers to all those fancy training camps, buy them three sticks + three buffaloes each and send them to some remote village.
Kung Fu Panda **** - July 12,2008
"He was so deadly that his enemies would go blind from overexposure to PURE AWESOMENESS.
There is no charge for awesomeness. Or attractiveness.
It mattered not how many foes he faced; they were no match for his bodacity"
With lines like that there is no way this movie can make a false move. Awesomeness at its purest. Po - is a cuddly globular Panda, dreaming of being a martial arts master. What's the secret of this movie? "There is no secret ingredient."
Its has all the things I dream of when I think of the Kung Fu films of ol' - animation is cutting edge and the voice acting is so well done - I only knew that they were big stars when the credits rolled... except maybe Jack Black.
Wholesome fun for the whole family. Highly recommended. I'm getting the DVD when it comes out.
Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na *** - July 8,2008
It's a group movie - something you with your entire 'gang'. The movie is fresh, youthful, jovial and pop-corny. If you with an analytical eye-glass, this movie isn't anything worth writing home about... but from a 'forget about your worldly cares' the movie works in a sitcommy sort of way. Some of the things shown are downright zany - but you dont notice that when you're in the dark room laughing at the moving pictures.
Manorama Six Feet Under **** - Feb16,2008
http://imdb.com/title/tt0498380/usercomments-238
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Manorama Six Feet Under *** - Nov 6,2007
Johhny Gaddar ***1/2 - Nov 6,2007
Two movies of the detective/suspense genre.
Manorama is slow to catch on but begins to grow on you.. Set in Rajasthan, a small time PWD worker Abhay deol as SV.. a failed novelist.. struggles with the monotonity of his life. Soon a female drops in like the cliched damsel in distress.. I suspect my husband the big politico czar is cheating on me. I want you to spy on him.. SV takes the money and then gets dragged into a whirlpool of twists and turns.
Johnny on the other hand is in one word SLICK - a tribute to James Hadley Chase genre. Neil Mukesh's first movie puts him on my to-watch-out for list. The pace is frenetic. Vinay Pathak is a common factor in both the movies.. but has a bigger role here as one of the 5 some looking to make a deal. Stand up and applaud Sriram raghavan. I'm gonna buy a CD and watch the sequel too..
The strange thing is both films bombed at the box office... just goes to show you - Indian audiences. Put on a circus and the masses throng. Some intelligent cinema... empty halls.
Watch it!
Solyaris **** - Nov 6,2007
A 1972 movie from a russian director - publicly claimed to be the retort to Kubrick's 2001 : A Space Odyssey. Personally I find the comparison a bit off. Kubrick's movie was a visual spectacle with visions galore. Solaris is more focussed with the human mind in an alien environment. The plot revolves around a shrink travelling to an airbase over a newly discovered planet ocean planet Solaris, which seems to be playing with the minds of the humans trying to study it. A loong movie.. so you may need to hold on till the end.
American History X ****1/2 - Oct 11,2007
A film on racism and its consequences on a family (apparently based on a real person) that hits you right in the gut. Edward Norton pulls out an absolutely stunning performance out of his hat -He should have one a couple of Oscars for this protrayal of an uber-skinhead (Roberto Beningni won for 'a beautiful life' Ripoff :( )... The movie is not for family viewing and some scenes are as graphic as can be. 'Must watch before you die'
Mulholland drive X **** - Oct 11,2007
Can't explain the premise, genre or purpose of this film.. Its weird but special. Critically acclaimed David Lynch movie that twists and turns till you give up trying to figure this one out
Close Encounters of the third kind *** - Aug 26, 2007
I picked up a DVD of this movie along with The Usual Suspects n Black Hawk Down. Halfway through I had Deja Vu... I had watched parts of this movie without knowing it was Close Encounters.. Richard Dreyfuss has a encounter with ETs.. a lot of it seems to be happening. Everyone wants answers... A different treatment other than the bloodthirsty race eliminating horror stereotyped-aliens.
Found heavy traces of inspiration for a Hindi flick Koi Mil gaya with the use of a set of musical notes to initiate communication.
Ratatouille *** - Aug 25, 2007
Pixar returns with the fourth concept of what was a post production brainstorming session after Toy Story.. which went on to become A Bug's life, Monsters Inc., Incredibles and now the tale of a rat with the gift of smell and fine cuisine..
Ratatouille FYI is a dish for peasants.. Won't spoil the rest.. definitely watchable. Prepare to be dazzled once again.
Carlito's way *** - June 17, 2007
Al Pacino and Sean pean together in a gangsta flick. That's just an automatic see for me. The film shows Carlito - Al escaping prison due to his lawyer sean. He wants to go straight now.. but things keep coming to him. His drug snorting lawyer gets into trouble with the biggies and Carlito has to help him out due to his personal code of honor. But shit happens..
Oceans Thirteen **1/2 - June 10, 2007
The gang is back. This time Reuben is swindled by Al Pacino - a ruthless hotel tycoon out to make the next biggest thing. The gang is out for revenge. The task is impossible but then hey Danny doesn't pull simple ones does he.. Outrageous at time - the gang shines but not as much as Eleven.
Pirates of the Carribean **1/2 - June 3, 2007
Yeah yeah, it has Johnny Depp, Orlando, Kiera.. it has pirates n boats... aarrrr matey! But something just gave way beneath their feet... It didn't work for me. The movie's good but not great..
Saw III *** - May 20, 2007
Once again, manages to shock with a clinical clear headed bad guy at the helm and a shocker of a climax. Some scenes made me turn my head away from the screen.. cranial operation isn't exactly what I term as horror but it does manage to evoke some strong reactions.
Takes over quite nicely from Saw II and Saw I - but now it's getting periodic.
Borat **1/2 - Apr 29, 2007
I am speechless. WTF was that ? This is the idea of someone called Sacha Baron Cohen who is Borat from Kazhakistan in the movie trying to learn about america as he makes his way across the country.. I dunno if all this was rehearsed or shot live. Anyways it'll jolt you out of your pants with its sheer audacity.
Even though it's way over the top.. it takes balls to make something like this.. and the thing is you have a very high chance of seeing 'em too during this .
The best of Will Ferrell : SNL ***1/2- Apr 28, 2007
Not as funny as I would have thought but then this guy has set his bar at the very top!! Definite one time watch - My favourite skit of the worst boss ever with Pierce Brosnan is missing in this though. What you have is Will Ferrell at his best ... The NoToDrugs one, the Puppy training volume, Chess Cheerleaders, the Night at Roxburry's with Jim Carrey and more... Hilarious!! Definite one time watch.. lots of celeb appearances but Ferrell takes every scene.
Dombivali Fast ***1/2(M) - Apr 06, 2007
This is a marathi film.. one of the better ones in a long tme.. Not the typical laughriot. The first 15 mins hit a chord in me. Wake up .. get ready.. catch a train.. office.. run back.. catch a train.. go to sleep. Repeat. A story of a middler working man from Dombivali (a Bombay suburb) with principles caught in a world that he doesn't want to live in.. His wife and kids paying the price for his values.. tution fees to get his son's teacher to allow his kid to make the grade... bribe for the water tanker.. donations to get his kid into school.. shopkeepers charging over the MRP.. corruption.. cheating.. a F* up life of despair.
Soon he loses it and goes about changing something.. I already have spoken too much.. Watch it !!
The film isn't a great one.. but maybe it's just that I don't want to face reality and want a feel good movie everytime I see something. I got enough pain of my own to deal with maybe.. but the movie has got some really nice facets like how keeping quiet has made the world into what it is today. Each one of us is responsible for the mess we are in.. e.g. everytime we pay someone more than the value that we get in return we are messing it up further.
300 *** - Mar 17, 2007
I'm a Frank Miller comic fan.. so I am glad I spent a hundred bucks on this one. No known faces in this one but it's a visual spectacle.. Frank Miller all the way.. to the narrative style, the darkness, the strength of the characters. The film details how the King of Sparta with 300 of his best soldiers, defends his lands against a Persian invader with zillion strong army and mystics and creatures at his disposal. How can this be a whole length movie.. go watch it !!!
Last King of Scotland **1/2 - Mar 03, 2007
I'm gonna say it out loud, I feel the film slipped away into the shadows towards the end. The performances are towering, Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin, a delusional, unpredictable, awe-inspiring, self proclaimed upholder cum tyrant dictator of Uganda and the guy playing the Scottish doctor out looking for adventure and ending up out of his depth. One time watch definitely - but could have been much much more... the bad guy in this case ended up living for quite sometime after he slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his own people... maybe that's what irked me most. The movie lacks a central message coming thru...
Guru (H) *** - Jan 13, 2007
Hmm... this one is right on the fence. On one side, this may be one of the best Abhishek movies to date. On the other hand, the film doesn't leave you with anything at the end of it. It's a biopic of the late Gurubhai soundalike maybe in the lines of Dayavan. It follows the rise of a common man to the top of one of India's biggest companies; the trials and tribulations along the way... and his determination and 'whatever it takes' outlook to success.
The movie doesn't bore you at any place but the end is kinda filmy - a dramatic performance in a courtroom doesn't absolve you of crores of rupees in tax evasion and other felonies.. Sorry can't buy that!
Babel *** - Jan 7, 2007
For those who don't know, the 'Tower of Babel' is a story from the Bible that emphasizes the value of communication. I don't know if that was the backdrop of this movie, it failed to communicate that... [Did the creators intentionally do that ?]
The movie is kinda like Crash albeit spanning across cultures Moroccan, American, Mexican, Japanese. Brad Pitt and Kate Blanchett are brillant as always. The script is nicely woven but at the end, the movie doesn't leave you with a message. That's my problem with it.
Full Metal Jacket ***1/2 - Jan 4, 2007
A Kubrick war-movie! This time on the tough conditioning of the Marines for Vietnam. Lots of shots at the moral dilemma of the marines racking up the 'gooks' body-count while "liberating" them. The movie seems a bit disjoint at times - seems like Kubrick had different goals during each section of the movie. A good watch nonetheless... The ambiance is nicely recreated with nice sound effects to enhance the atmosphere of fear.
Blade Runner *** - Dec 24, 2006
Harrisson Ford in and as BladeRunner.. Won't put it down as a must see. But for a 1980s futuristic thriller, Ridley Scott's film has done a good job. Even today, the look of the film doesn't appear outdated. Blade Runners FYI, are special cops with 'A Shoot to kill' directive on detecting rebel human clones called Replicants. For me, the movie got slow at times... but still plenty of good things - so don't give it a miss !
A Bug's life **** - Dec 20, 2006
Outstanding!! Pixar rulz! This one you gotta see. Even the ending credits are funnier than anyone I have met in a long time. The ideas woven into this puny masterpiece would make your brain get up and applaud. Also kudos to the guys who were behind this... nice plot, cool ideas, stunning animation and great voices. As I said, outstanding !!!
DHOOM 2 ** - Nov 24, 2006
First of all, let me say this upfront before you people stop reading anything I write from here on. This was under very abnormal circumstances an office group outing.
Ok. Let me lay it out.. The thing that you remember after you step out of the hall is Uday Chopra's "acting"(Baywatch was a stroke of genius) and Hrithik's uber cool look (first 15 mins and the song). That is the review. Sunehri from Andheri is like like like like ... the Bipasha twins in the movie... wasted !!! Abhishek tries somewhat to wrest the scenes away but Hrithik wins.
** SPOILER Warning
Stunts are something that even a Mithun movie would not dare release with. e.g.
The Queen of some country has her crown transported via a train in some African desert. After the heist, Hrithik is sand boarding tied up to the rear like a sitting duck. The top security gets approx 10 shots and not one of them hits. He then jumps up back to the roof to flatten the shooter. And by the way the train is running at breakneck speed.
How did Hrithik apply that white paste for the Greek sculpture and get into position to play his remote control car game in the Shalimar rip-off white n black floor. Were the guards eating Vada Pav with Ali ? How did he get back to the wash-room after stealing that diamond ? Was the Vada at work here again?
How did Hrithik change his costume from Old wrinkly guy to Krrissshh on skates in the split second that he goes down one manhole and shoots out of another one nearby?
Why did ALL the guards come and stand in the path of the Electric arc thingies in the stealing of the sword scene ? After all they are the ones who set up those security measures.
Why does Abhishek just arrest him when everyone knows who everyone else is?
Ok and picture this.. Hrithik jumps off a cliff with a parachute in a last ditch effort to escape. Abhishek has no parachute so what does he do... rolls up his sleeves and jumps ??!!. Somehow he doesn't fall on top of the chute acc to normal physics but somehows attaches himself to the back of Hrithik... ala vikram betaal. I would have loved to see Hrithik do a last minute swerve to the left.. and there lies super cop splat on the ground...
Some shmuck has given this a 4 star rating in the Times. Sell out!
Crazy kiya re ??... Ghari chala re!!!!
Casino Royale ***1/2 - Nov 18, 2006
Daniel Craig all the way!
Total Rollercoaster... Slick Action and tight pace till the very end. Don't miss the start or the end or anything in between. Daniel has done a good job of rising to the souped up expectations. Also Bond happens to have a heart in this movie!! Missed the inventor of slick gadgets though.
Aston Martin has a short role but it is a head turner.
This incidentally is the first Bond book by Ian Fleming.
Nacho Libre **1/2 - Nov 18, 2006
I gotta admit I'm a bit partial to Jack Black movies. School of Rock is a case in point.
Here he plays Ignacio a friar or holy person who has a inclination towards Mexican wrestling - which goes against the man of god doctrines. He is the cook for a bunch of kids in the orphanage.. till the day he decides to moonlight as a wrestler for a better life for the orphans and win the heart of Sister Encarnacione - who's a beauty.
All's good except that he has no talent and that was the funniest bit in the movie... when you want to do something real bad and you know you're so bad at it. Kinda like me learning the guitar... and you keep at it coz it gnaws away inside :)
And I liked the religious man theme song. "I am I am....
Janghwa, Hongryeon **** - Nov 16, 2006
A.k.a. A tale of two sisters
You got to see it to believe it. It's a Korean horror movie- so I had to watch it with subtitles. I'm not sure I got the entire plot straight in my head... and that's a sure sign that it's a good movie :)
The scenes are extremely well executed, the actresses carry the movie on their own. A difference in STYLE! Watch it - recommended.
The Departed **** - Nov 04, 2006
Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, Leo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen - Now a set of people like this heightens expectations. And the good news is that it doesn't disappoint... Superb protrayals all around.. and a special mention to the characters etched out - everyone has a nice role to play.
A game of snitches - the cops have one among them and the bad guys have too... A game of catching the rat that twists and turns all the way to very gory (and somewhat cynical) end. Watch it unless you are squeamish!
Office Space **1/2 - Nov 04, 2006
Nice sitcom-ish movie about the life in cubicles and the monotonous routine that I'm too familiar with.The movie is nice in patches but overall it sinks in the latter half of the movie. One time watch... maybe ...
Jaaneman (H) *** - Oct 24, 2006
Better than the last one that I saw. Popcorn movie with some laughs. Songs are pretty long n boring - the lyricist needs a QA guy assigned pronto. Salman (good at heart - uber cool supersta) n Akki (the well intentioned geek at heart) carry the movie - the plot is similar to Shahrukh coaching Saif in Kal ho na ho. Priety is straight out of a Ponds commercial yet again... TimePass... good for whilin away an afternoon.
DON - the remake (H) **1/2 - Oct 23, 2006
Nothing bad per se. Slick production but nothing good either. No replay value. A couple of nice twists in the plot but that's it. The first half is pretty drag and you have no feeling of the movie going anywhere. Nothing that you haven't seen anywhere else. Also - Definitely doesn't hold a candle to the original. My advice - Wait n Watch it on the telly or the PC !!
Halloween **** - Oct 21, 2006
Nice cult Carpenter horror flick. Sounds and cameras used to create a pretty nice effect. Horror with any blood spills. Nicely done.
Lage Raho Munnabhai (H) ****1/2 - Sep 16, 2006
Absolutely stunning. The sequel to the equally popular Munnabhai MBBS (which is being made into an english movie.) Munna and Circuit are again on song with the father of the nation to boot. A very nice concept. I won't spoil anything - just suffice to say even I couldn't find anything bad with this movie. Well paced and just what the doctor ordered for the people running like hamsters through the wheels of life.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind **** - MAR 26, 2006
I hafta blog about this or this will get lost in the haze of uncontrollable events and causes that starts every Monday morning ...
It's kinda funny how things out sometimes. Last week I was out watching 'Crash' with some of my friends. (strictly okay that one.. dunno how it got the Oscar for Best Film) As I was walking out, I said 'Eternal.. sounds like the next movie I would watch'. Sure enough next Friday, 8 in the evening, I'm standing outside the same multiplex with 4 tickets in hand. Coincidence ?? I don't think so.
Eternal... is a thought experiment - a love story - reflection on your own life all rolled into a movie. It's movies like these that give me hope that there are still good stories to be heard out there.
Jim Carrey gets under the skin of Joel like a fish takes to water. Kate Winslet as Clementine still has that something about her that can't be set to words... like if she stabbed you in the back, you'd hand over the knife back to her and ask her if she hurt her hand :) Dunst looks like she's a prop in this story but her part is as important as any - as you would find at the end of it all. The clear winner here is the "Script" - lemme google... Charlie kaufman and Michel Gondry - wherever you are. Thank you for making me want to go back to the movies the next time...
And to the people that did the fantastic work of bringing a 2004 movie to the Indian malls in 2006. Thank you -- better late than never!
As I always say, this is a fantastic medium - elastic loops of matter in the clumsy clutches of amateurs but magical works of art in the palms of masters. Lord Puttnam's speech at the BAFTA's this year just said it for me - Well spoken sir!
To end this tirade - One that I would take my girl out to ... if I had one that is. But if I did and that's a big if, this would be one of the few I would make it a point to watch more than once.
Movie Review: Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels **** - Sep 26, 2005
I recognized just a couple of guys in this all british film. One was Sting (Desert Rain and Police fame) and the other was the action star/lead in Transporter. But don't take anything away from anyone who's in this movie.
The film is the story of how 4 friends (one of 'em is a whiz at cards & reading reactions) pool in money for a '100 grand n above' card game at the local gangster's den and end up owing a lot of money to 'Hatchet' Harry.10 days and a finger for each day after that till the debt is cleared !
DA PLOT : 1 salute for Guy Ritchie! The plot is one amazing rollercoaster, one twist after another. Coincidence plays a lead role here :) It is unbelievably hilarious when you look at it from the outside.
Bottom line : MUST Watch atleast once.
Movie Review: Salaam Namaste (H) **1/2 - Sep 19, 2005
SPOILER WARNING (If you are planning to watch this movie, Back Off!!)
First why is this the title of the movie? coz someone had a canned catchy song?
Good things:
- Javed Jafri (JJ) as the bihari immigrant turned Australian cowboy (do they have cowboy's down under?) with sahi angrezi. Priceless gems like 'When in Rome, do the Romenz' and 'Ghosts of the kicks not listening to the talks', 'Where is the Niks'?
- Arshad's baby is a cute chap.
- The songs are easy on the ears but hogwash lyrics wise.
Bad things:
The only reason that someone will see this movie is if they are trying to get to second base during the movie. Also Priety's stomach has not bettered the chances of a Live-In relationship being accepted in India :) This movie ain't that bad yet something just didn't fit.
Chef Saif (Nhig) and RJ Preity (Humbar) decide to live-in so that 10 years down the line, they don't keep wondering about what could have been? (Now, that was a promising subject.) But then they spend quality time together, protection fails, Saif yells "Kill it!" "I don't want it" Now any self respecting woman would take the frying pan upside of his head. But she cries and yells and pukes but she continues to live with him (IN LOOOVE you see). They go on and off like lightbulbs (that song at 11:45 couldn't have come at a better time in the movie.) Saif keeps hurting her and she keeps whimpering. I missed the end but don't feel like I missed anything, after Saify turns good and has to get the girl in the end. The other characters (Jignes, Debo-nair, Dhaka,..) merely appear to be hanging around the sets rather than acting. The lead duo has no visible family angle - so Saif lives long enough.
Parting shot:
JJ: Hey Bibes, what do I always say about the Salaam Namaste?
B: Sorry ?
JJ: Ekjactly !!
Movie Review : Amadeus ****3/4 - Sep 05, 2005
"Mediocrity is everywhere" - Salieri (Amadeus - 1984)
This is CINEMA as it should be. The creators have taken some characters and events from history, taken some dramatic liberties and blended in Mozart's brilliance to create one of the finest pieces of celluloid art ever. This movie won 8 Oscars and is regarded as one of the top 100 films of all time. You will remember some of the scenes forever once you have seen them.
The movie is a confession by Antonio Salieri in an asylum, a former Italian court composer in Vienna. He makes a pact with God that he would be a righteous man and in return he wishes to be the remembered as a great composer. But then Mozart enters the scene, a loud, bohemian, crass "creature" with divine musical talent. Mozart's compositions are carefully entwined to enhance the drama (It should be reason enough to watch this movie). Salieri sees Mozart as God's instrument mocking him. He sees Mozart's genius and consequently his music as mediocre. Salieri then plots... I wouldn't commit a crime by divulging any more...
Salieri - F. Murray Abraham, is THE case study every actor should study. You have to watch him to see how he has portrayed Salieri as the bad-guy who is actually a good guy. You have to see this guy get into the skin of this character, facial expressions, the works. He won the Oscar for this role.
Mozart - Tom Hulce plays the childish, gaudy, eccentric director's vision of Mozart. If they had 2 Oscars that year, he would have won the second. His misfortune was that he was pitted against Abraham that year :)
The next great performer is the Orchestra that have contributed the music to this movie.
The other things like the Operas, costumes, sets are so beautifully done that you almost don't see 'em.
This movie is definitely not a true story as several artistic liberties have been taken. This is a play masquerading as an film. You might want to take a look at (AFTER you see the film)
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/2915/amadeus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart
All in all I'm gonna watch it again soon...
Movie Review : Iqbal (H) **** 1/4 - Aug 29, 2005
Do not get alarmed by Subhash Ghai at the start of the movie. He has not played Kisna here.
Nagesh takes you into a quaint little town, where Iqbal dreams of playing for India. The film follows him as he follows his dreams.
The cast does not boast of any big stars but the cast could not have been better. Shreyas as Iqbal is brilliant. Naseer upholds and raises my high expectations as his mentor. G.Karnad after a long time is back as the wily and menacing coach. Iqbal's family too is nicely enacted: his sister as Iqbal's voice, His 'varna main aapko jaan se maar doongi' :) mom and his cricket hating father.
This movie uses sound quite nicely. Keep a ear out on how sound supplements the scenes in the movie.
The quarter of a star is for Nagesh in particular for his vision and drive to turn this into reality. This is the closest thing to an Indian Rocky Balboa. Period. ( this is NOT Rocky though, that movie and audio track combo always makes me wanna run out and punch someone's lights out! That's what I call a moving movie). Also Nagesh K. once replied to a mail of mine, so I am a bit biased to his movies.
Make no mistake, this one has to be watched. Please get out of your comfy chairs and pay money to see movies like these.
Moral of the story: Instead of sending all our cricketers to all those fancy training camps, buy them three sticks + three buffaloes each and send them to some remote village.
YAHAAN (H) *** - Aug 29, 2006
The movie under the glass here is Yahaan, which was a good movie hard done by God's rainy day.
The movie in one word would be SINCERE.
A good job done in capturing Kashmir and the difference in how people live there. The courage of the people living there, the overbearing presence of terror and death around the populace and the helplessness comes across.
The other bright point was the new actress Minissha. She's fresh, beautiful and plays Adaa so well that I tip her to bag some pretty good roles in the future. She's got some pretty good lines in the movie courtesy of whoever wrote her speech at the end (ala this is John Galt speaking)Jimmy Shergill delivers a composed act as the captain, who doesn't listen to the advice of not mingling with the locals. Adaa waltzes in, bada bing bada boom, there he is hunted by the Indian army for being a traitor, his girl is somewhere else, his boss is out to screw him, broken nose n some people with guns on his tail.. in short deep shit!
The rest of the cast is also above average given the fact I did not recognize any one of them.The songs are nice when coupled with the breathtaking visuals. Gulzar strikes again (you don't understand half the stuff he writes but it just flows. I can't get the tune of Adaa's opening song out of my head. )
The film isn't great per se but one of the better ones I've seen in a while. At the very least, it heralds the emergence of new artists.
I watched the movie on a botched up pirated CD. The guilt finally got to me and I got the VCDs for this movie (for a mere 150 bucks! although it led me to another spontaneous spending spree for Amadeus + Exorcist + Queen's greatest hits. Planet M is my personal Waterloo) as my way of making up to the debutante director Shoojit. Nice job, dude!
Quotes I like...
Just a scratchpad to note down gems I encounter...
Language enables weaving magic with words and I'm a student of this art.
Language enables weaving magic with words and I'm a student of this art.
- The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one." - John Maxwell
- Lose... but don't lose the lesson
- One of the better things about life is that it's never so bad that it can't get worse - Bill Watterson (Calvin n Hobbes)
- The biggest lesson history has to teach us is that people don't learn from it.
- Never assume.. it makes an ass out of u and me. - Robert Ludlum [Bourne Identity?]
- Mediocrity is everywhere - Salieri [Peter Schaffer's Amadeus - movie]
- A designer knows that he has achieved perfection not when he has nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away - Saint Exupery [French writer-aviator]
Can't connect Sony M600i to PC Suite
The PC Suite would not connect to the phone although the machine could see a USB device. Can’t connect … it’s right there…. Aaarrrrggghhhh! Relax. This took me a long time to find out. USB connectivity has two modes that can be set with
Click on the small arrow icon in top left > Connections > USB. You will see a dropdown called USB functionality. Switch as required. (Also accessible from Main Menu > Tools > Control Panel > Connections > USB.
- File Transfer: To dump files onto your memory card like a pen drive, use this setting.
I wish someone had blogged about this … I was near insanity when I couldn’t get my new phone to talk USB with my machine or sync contacts.. turned out to be another case of smart phones and dumb people.
My Sony M600i : User Review
I spent a couple of days researching user reviews and now I am one so why not a review for the others to follow ?
Ok just been a couple of days since I bought it so might be starstruck. I traded up from a Nokia N-gage and that's a big shift.
Pros:
- Size: Smaller than a standard audio tape in all dimensions.. yeah I got one out of the closet. One of them still lives today... Looky here.
- Super Light : Weighs... what 100 gms ?
- A looker : Available in white and black.. I like the white one.. looks almost like an IPod
- 4 stand-alone ways to Input : You got a 3 way wheel + cancel button combo, a stylus, a qwerty keyboard with buttons that can be pressed to the left or right and….
- Touchscreeeen !! I can easily use this phone just with my left thumb and I am a right handed person. Sony rocks!!! I had a scratch guard film put on it.. and still everything is super!
- Handwriting recognition : First time user.. so had my niggles but now it's getting easier. I can write full sentences with my stylus.
- Display/Video: Absolutely stunning. One of the best if not the best I've seen. The default theme makes it more like an iPod. Beauuutiful! Also you have landscape mode seen here … Picture Gallery has a slideshow as well. Videos can also be played in this mode.
- Audio: Now who needs an IPod.. Sound is crisp and I have Mega Bass. Yeah.. But sound at max volume is still listenable.. not ear drum harming loud.. should check out the walkman series phone for their output. But thumbs up from me at vol 75%+
- UI : It uses a new standard called UIQ3. Guess what.. still rocks ... my thumb loves the UI. Main Menu is nicely grouped into 9 icons.. No scrolling. Yes !!!
- Contacts, Messaging, Calendar : One word NEATO! Everything is easy to find. No pouring thru the manual
- Connectivity: We have USB, Bluetooth, IR (supposed to be more reliable I read somewhere??) Bluetooth is right on. USB was a major stumbling block. See next post. Once you learn the ropes, everything is smooth. The arrow menu/icon in the top-left is a time/life-saver
- Price : More Value for Money ? Are you kidding ? At the price I got it I would have bought it anyway. Show me a phone with all this and still doesn't look / weigh like a brick.
- Phone : Yes it works alright :) for all ye smarties. Great sound in
- Docs : PDF reader is uber cool in landscape mode. Got to try the QuickOffice docs sometime…
- Firmware Updateable : Free and Online as it should be. Already did mine on day 1 with great courage and three-fourth asleep without the manual. That means it’s easy to do.
Cons:
- No Camera : this is a Pro for me. But some ppl might want it ..
- No FM : Once again. No Himesh !!! Pro for me.
- No Wifi : Never tried this ever.. so I’m good without it.
- Memory : Uses a new Sony memory card format M2 : size little bigger than a single finger nail. Expensive as of now. Waiting for a 1G card to come up and then I’m done. I would have gladly paid a little extra for something more than that measly 64 MB card that is bundled. 60 MB internal.
- Charger, USB, Headset all work off a port at the bottom. Only niggle can’t listen to headset while charging :(
- Build – don’t know if this thing can’t stand a few falls or bumps.. Nokia N-gage was a sturdy lil beast. Can’t even think of testing this one out.. if some stone-hearted butterfingered imbecile has done this… please post. I’d love to hear from you than find out first hand
- Games : got something like tetris and Vijay Singh golf bundled.. display is cool. Got to find some better games or this is a con for me.
Things to try.
- Web based stuff – Can’t wait to try Opera on this baby. Need to activate GPRS or something first.
- Diff Video formats : Could just run the Sony Demo clip. Can’t get a hold of the formats that the phone supports from the manual …
- RTFM
Will write more as I find out more…
Final verdict for now… I Loooovvvvvveeee it ! Go get your own… she’s all mine! Muhwahahahaha.
PS: For better pix beam up to here and click on each image
AB's cameo in Namak Halal
" In the year nineteen hundred and twenty nine, Sir, when India was playing against Australia in Melbourne city, Vijay Merchant and Vijay Hazare, they were at the crease and Vijay Merchant told Vijay Hazare, “Look Vijay Hazare, this is a very prestigious match and you must consider this match very carefully. So considering the consideration that Vijay Hazare gave Vijay Merchant, Vijay Merchant told Vijay Hazare that ultimately we must take a run and when they were striking the ball on the leg side, Sir, the consideration came into an ultimatum and ultimately Vijay Hazare went to Vijay Merchant and said…
In the year nineteen hundred and seventy nine, when India was playing against Pakistan in Wankede stadium Bombay, Wasim Raja and Wasim Bari, they were at the crease and Wasim Bari gave the same considertion to Wasim Raja and Wasim Raja told Wasim Bari “look sir, this ultimately has to end in a consideration which I cannot consider therefore the consideration that you are giving me must be considered very ultimately.” Therefore the run that they were taking, Wasim Raja told Wasim Bari “Wasim Bari you take the run…” and ultimately both of them ran inconsiderately, they got out. "
In the year nineteen hundred and seventy nine, when India was playing against Pakistan in Wankede stadium Bombay, Wasim Raja and Wasim Bari, they were at the crease and Wasim Bari gave the same considertion to Wasim Raja and Wasim Raja told Wasim Bari “look sir, this ultimately has to end in a consideration which I cannot consider therefore the consideration that you are giving me must be considered very ultimately.” Therefore the run that they were taking, Wasim Raja told Wasim Bari “Wasim Bari you take the run…” and ultimately both of them ran inconsiderately, they got out. "
My Precioussss
There it is !!! My number one reason for not leaving home anymore.. It's a freaking crime that I have to go to work now.It cost me a pretty penny ... errr... lots actually.. 6K to be precise. It still hasn't quite sunk in. I woke up today half expecting this to be a dream and not finding it anymore.
It's still here and my online bank statement proves it :)
I really don't care.. it's Calvin and Hobbes. The entire mother ship .. hardbound... untarnished.. Beauuuuuuuuuuttttttttttiiiiifuuuuuuuuullllll. 1500 pages which will last me till the next life... thanks Bill W... this makes up for no more CnH strips... somewhat
Here's a review on the wrapping.. "Reliving the adventures in The Complete Calvin and Hobbes is like visiting a childhood friend who moved away and took the fun with him"
I don't know Calvin for so long but I get his drift. As Calvin said in one of his timeless quips "If there is more to life that this, I don't know what it is."
Rio nicks it in the end
Finally a satisfying game for fan-atics like me in front of the TV.
It wasn't the ol' ManUtd flair but then I have to come to accept it.. With Keane and Cantona publicly lashing out at the present bunch.. I think this team needs some slack and a stern hand.
With Chelsea dropping 2 points against Charlton (finally!), It was all to play for 2nd place wannabes. (I can't help but mention Arsenal got beat by Beattie for Everton yesterday. hee hee)
Liverpool to be fair played better for most of the game - Cisse wasn't ready for a gift wrapped one. Rio cleared one off the lines just in the nick of time. Nistelrooy, Saha and Rooney taking difficult shots in desperation.
But then if you leave things hanging by a thread till the end sometimes it bites you in the ass.
90 minute.. score 0-0... Finnan gives away a freekick. Ryan Giggs steps up to take it..
I'm thinking.. 'Come on Giggsy bend one in.' He puts in a cross, Rio Ferdinand
runs in, glance-directs the ball past the flying goalie... 1-0 !!!
Rafa cries foul for Rooney making a hard tackle on Sinnama Pongal a min before the goal. They wanted rooney to be ejected instead of picking up a yellow.. (Gerrard made about 3 tackles from behind on Rooney and didn't get a card). Xabi alonso pulled Giggs down when he was clear on setting up a pass. Then Gerrard swears at the ref and picks up a yellow. The rest of the Reds go off the pitch swearing.
All in all a great game for Man Utd fans. We'll take whatever we get to get to the Blues !
GMD to every moocher on this earth
This world is full of people who just want to get money without earning it...
I got myself a house on Christmas day. Nice place - 25Lakhs a pop. It took 11K to book the place.
Then come the hidden things like roaches out of a crack. I need to buy "parking space". Open parking at 55K a slot and enclosed parking at 1.5L a slot. Here comes the stunner, you won't get a document to the land all you get is an allotment letter from the builder... who you would get no trace of once the money changes hands. Now let's say you buy the slot.. within 2 years the land of the building is transferred over to the society, which now owns the land. You got nothing !! The society may decide to take back all the land in case of shortage of parking space and reallocate (even to people who didn't buy a slot). The builder's allotment letter can then be used to wipe your ass for all anyone cares. So easy way out .. don't buy eh ? Wrong. Second scenario... everyone who books buys a slot. In that case the society would probably go with the majority. 'If you didn't buy, sorry all the space is taken! You should have bought when you had the chance.' Icing on the cake: I believe, This is forbidden by the law. Hence no agreement papers and the money for the parking is to be paid in black - cold cash. Apparently every builder is doing it ... so it's okay!
Just as you are reeling from this whirlpool of catch-22s. You got to apply for a home loan. You think all these banks on TV -- "housing" angels who just want to give away homes to anyone who is homeless. Here's my deal : I have taken a loan of 20L at 8.75 % fixed. The calculation comes to approx 40 Lakhs in repayment. So the bank takes away twice the amount if I play by the rules for 18 years. Of course you can repay earlier - upto 25% of the loan amount without penalties (yes some of them have a prepayment penalty - so if I tried to pay them 1L earlier, I would have to pay 40K as penalty for giving them back their money.) But that clause was marked by a * (Conditions apply) so in all probability there's something up there too..
So to all these losers out there , trying to rip people off.. Here's a song by an Indian band "BodhiTree"(great work guys..) just for you. Thanks Sumesh for pointing this link in the vast blogosphere..
GMD by BodhiTree. Turn the volume low - if someone would bust a cap in your ass for uttering expletives.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=431951
I got myself a house on Christmas day. Nice place - 25Lakhs a pop. It took 11K to book the place.
Then come the hidden things like roaches out of a crack. I need to buy "parking space". Open parking at 55K a slot and enclosed parking at 1.5L a slot. Here comes the stunner, you won't get a document to the land all you get is an allotment letter from the builder... who you would get no trace of once the money changes hands. Now let's say you buy the slot.. within 2 years the land of the building is transferred over to the society, which now owns the land. You got nothing !! The society may decide to take back all the land in case of shortage of parking space and reallocate (even to people who didn't buy a slot). The builder's allotment letter can then be used to wipe your ass for all anyone cares. So easy way out .. don't buy eh ? Wrong. Second scenario... everyone who books buys a slot. In that case the society would probably go with the majority. 'If you didn't buy, sorry all the space is taken! You should have bought when you had the chance.' Icing on the cake: I believe, This is forbidden by the law. Hence no agreement papers and the money for the parking is to be paid in black - cold cash. Apparently every builder is doing it ... so it's okay!
Just as you are reeling from this whirlpool of catch-22s. You got to apply for a home loan. You think all these banks on TV -- "housing" angels who just want to give away homes to anyone who is homeless. Here's my deal : I have taken a loan of 20L at 8.75 % fixed. The calculation comes to approx 40 Lakhs in repayment. So the bank takes away twice the amount if I play by the rules for 18 years. Of course you can repay earlier - upto 25% of the loan amount without penalties (yes some of them have a prepayment penalty - so if I tried to pay them 1L earlier, I would have to pay 40K as penalty for giving them back their money.) But that clause was marked by a * (Conditions apply) so in all probability there's something up there too..
So to all these losers out there , trying to rip people off.. Here's a song by an Indian band "BodhiTree"(great work guys..) just for you. Thanks Sumesh for pointing this link in the vast blogosphere..
GMD by BodhiTree. Turn the volume low - if someone would bust a cap in your ass for uttering expletives.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=431951
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